Different Types of Electrical Switches

We use electrical switches every single day in our lives. Whether they are used to turn on the light or if they are used indirectly while using computers and other appliances, switches are one of the most common electrical accessory around. There are a number of different electrical switches we can use, each having its own unique purpose and use. The type of electrical switch we need to use depends on what we need to use it for. It is a secondary accessory that is highly dependent on the primary accessory it supports. Out of all the switches available in the market, two are highly common and of great use: panel switches and line switches. Let’s have a more detailed look into the two most common types of electrical switches that are in use today.

Panel Switch

Panel switches were developed in the 1910s by Western Electric labs and introduced in the Bell System. Panel switches became used as early types of automatic telephone systems. Known for their huge panel like structure, panel switches are basically very tall strips of layered terminals that are separated by a fine layer of insulation between them. First installed in 1915, the panel switch became the go to method for phone terminals.

That is, however, just one type of panel switch. The second type is far more common and known to almost everyone. Common panel switches are the ones we see on our walls. Most of the switches in our homes are arranged in a panel arrangement. It is basically a plastic panel fitted in the wall with multiple switches embedded in it. This makes it easier for people to switch multiple appliances off or on since the switches are arranged together in the same place.

Line Switch

Much like common panel switches, line switches are very popular as well. In fact, they are perhaps the go to switches to attach to smaller electric appliances. Lamps especially almost always line switches. Line switches carry a relatively smaller load than panel switches and are used for electrical appliances you do not commonly use. An analogy can be drawn with toys that have their own specific switch for use whenever it needs to be used.

In that manner, line switches are commonly used for appliances that are rarely turned on. Lamps, decoration pieces, fountain lights, and disco lights are all common appliances that have line switches attached. Line switches are fairly simple and can be fixed or attached by anyone who has an idea about how to. However, panel switches are often very complex since they are attached to wires from all around a room, or even the entire house! This makes them too difficult for common people to understand, and they cannot find and fix faults on their own. Therefore, whenever there’s a fault with a panel switch it is important to hire a professional for repair or replacement.  You can purchase a new one or a refurbished switch, both will have gone through rigorous testing before making it to you the consumer.

Contact Us Today

Learn more about J & P Electrical Company and their vast line of new, surplus, and refurbished industrial electrical components including: circuit breakers, bus ducts, bus plugs, disconnects, fuses, panel switches, tap boxes, and transformers at www.jpelectricalcompany.com.  To contact one of our product reconditioning specialists, call 877.844.5514 today.